The three centers supporting industry-academia collaboration at Science Tokyo— Center for Innovation Management, Center for Innovation Design, and Center for Medical Innovation—jointly hosted the Science Tokyo Founding International Open Innovation & Startup Symposium (IOI&SS) 2025 on July 23 at the Conference Square, Hibiya International Building (Tokyo).
IOI&SS is one of the largest industry-academia collaboration events at Science Tokyo. Its aim is to foster innovation that contributes to social development through sustainable collaboration among industry, academia, and government.
The theme of this year’s symposium was “Global Innovation Ecosystem.” A wide variety of programs were held, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, and startup pitch sessions. In addition, booths were set up by sponsoring, cooperating, and affiliated organizations to facilitate networking between participants and exhibitors.
The event drew approximately 400 in-person attendees and an additional 300 participants online.
Program
Wednesday, July 23, 10:00 – 17:00
[Room A]
Session 1: Opening Remarks & Keynote Speeches
Session 2: Case Studies of Global Innovation Ecosystems
Session 3: Ecosystems Originating from Science Tokyo
Session 4: Keys to Creating Innovation Ecosystems (Panel Discussion)
Session 5: Science Tokyo Venture Awards Ceremony & Closing Remarks
[Room B]
Science Tokyo Ventures Award Pitch Contest
Event Report
[ Room A ] Session 1: Opening Remarks & Keynote Speeches
The session began with opening remarks by Naoto Ohtake, President and Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Science Tokyo, followed by a speech from Yujiro Tanaka, President and Chief Academic Officer, Institute of Science Tokyo. A message from Mr. Masahide Kokubun, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), was read on his behalf by Mr. Hideki Nakagawara, Assistant Director of the same division.
In the guest address, it was emphasized that an innovation ecosystem should be a “co-creation space” where universities, companies, municipalities, and government agencies work together to identify challenges and generate solutions. The need for a global perspective was also underscored.
Keynote Speeches
Three keynote speakers delivered their insights during this session:
Dr. Kazuya Masu, Director of the Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology （AIST）, delivered a talk titled
“Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration in the Agile and Dynamic Era: Mobilizing Talent to Drive Knowledge and Innovation.”
He proposed that the essence of an ecosystem lies in the mobility of human resources, and that national laboratories and universities should evolve from being purely research institutions to platforms for co-creation.
Professor Masaharu Tsujimoto, Professor of the School of Environment and Society
Director General, Innovation design Platform, Institute of Science Tokyo, presented on
”Toward the Development of the Deep Tech Startup Ecosystem: Insights from MIT.”
He stressed the importance of understanding the mechanisms that drive ecosystems and the need for system design.
Mr. Yuji Yoneda, Senior Executive Officer and General Manager of Technology and Innovation Center, DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, Ltd., spoke on
“The Importance and Expectations of Global Innovation Ecosystems from a Corporate Perspective.”
He identified the lack of professionals capable of promoting collaboration between universities and corporations as the greatest challenge in Japan’s ecosystem. He emphasized the need to cultivate world-class human resources through joint efforts among industry, government, and academia, and to build a uniquely Japanese innovation model.
Opening Remarks by President and CEO Naoto Ohtake
Session 2: Case Studies of Global Innovation Ecosystems
Mr. Benjamin Finkelor, Senior Advisor of the Office of Grand Challenges | Executive Director of the Energy & Efficiency Institute, University of California, Davis, delivered a presentation titled
“UC Davis: Leveraging Industry-Government-Academic Partnerships to Innovate Solutions for the World’s Grand Challenges.”
He introduced Aggie Square, a hub facility designed to support emerging and growth-stage companies in fields such as life sciences, biomedical engineering, technology, and data science.
Mr. Hiroki Hada, Executive Director, Global Co-Creation Business, ICMG Group, presented on
“The Innovation Ecosystem of Smart Nation Singapore.”
He emphasized the importance of leveraging external partnerships and universities engaged in startup support and business creation as part of a growth strategy for Japanese tech startups in Singapore.
Prof. Chris Van Hoof, General Manager OnePlanet Research Center – Vice President R&D imec, introduced, via a video presentation, the establishment of the
OnePlanet Research Center under the theme
“Multidisciplinary collaboration will enable Health 5.0, Food 5.0 and Agri 5.0.”
The center aims to contribute to both economic and societal impact in areas including healthcare, food, agritech, and the environment.
Prof. Luiz DaSilva, Executive Director, Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, Virginia Tech, also presented via video, speaking on
“CCI: A Partnership for Cybersecurity Research, Innovation, and Workforce Development.”
He highlighted the cybersecurity ecosystem in Virginia, noting that it includes 103 participating startups, showcasing the region’s strength in research and entrepreneurship.
Session 3: The Science Tokyo-Centered Ecosystem
This session highlighted the innovation ecosystems being spearheaded by Tokyo University of Science and Technology.
To begin, Kaori Iida, Vice President for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration, Professor, Director of the Center for Medical Innovation, Institute of Science Tokyo, presented under the theme
“The innovation ecosystem driven by Science Tokyo.”
She introduced several key initiatives actively promoted by the university’s three industry-academia collaboration institutes, including:
- Collaboration Research Cluster *1
- Strategic Partnership *2
- TIP (Technology Innovation Program) *3
- INDEST (Innovation Design Studio) *4
*1: https://www.oi-p.titech.ac.jp/list-of-collaborative-research-cluster-2/
*2: https://tmdu-oi.jp/system/#ccs-link-3
*3: https://tmdu-tip.jp/ *4: https://www.idp.ori.titech.ac.jp/indest/top/
Next, Yukitaka Kato, Director, Professor, Laboratory for Zero-Carbon Energy, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo, gave a presentation titled
“Green Transformation Initiative (Science Tokyo GXI) for Carbon Neutrality Establishment.” He explained that the Green Transformation Initiative (GXI)*5 is a social implementation ecosystem for GX technologies, aiming to contribute to global carbon neutrality by leveraging Japan’s unique green transformation technologies.
Following that, Koichi Shinoda, Professor, School of Computing, Institute of Science Tokyo, presented on
“The open innovation enabled by Super Smart Society Promotion Consortium.”
He introduced the Super Smart Society (SSS) Promotion Consortium*6, which consists of approximately 60 participating institutions. He explained that around 80 faculty members in Science Tokyo are involved in the initiative, and that the consortium has developed 10 application fields, including mobility and agriculture, to promote open innovation.
Then, Eiichiro Kimura, Professor, School of Environment and Society, Institute of Science Tokyo, gave a presentation on
“Digital Food Platform Initiative.” He introduced the Digital Food Platform (DFP) initiative, which aims to create new value at the intersection of “food” and “health” through the development of ecosystems involving industry, academia, and government. His talk emphasized the formation of a new business model that connects smart agriculture with individual well-being.
To conclude the session, Koji Fujita, Vice President for Biomedical Engineering
Professor, HealthTech Section, Center for Medical Innovation, Institute of Science Tokyo, presented on
“Healthtech Design Program, a university hospital observation program.”
He introduced the Healthtech Design Program*7, which provides access to real-world clinical environments and offers consulting services. The program supports innovation through firsthand observation of healthcare settings, enabling the development of technologies and solutions that are closely aligned with medical field needs.
Session 4: Keys to Building an Innovation Ecosystem
This session featured a panel discussion by five experts representing industry, government, academia, and finance, who explored the challenges surrounding innovation ecosystems and potential solutions.
The session was moderated by Yoichi Oshima, Vice President for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration, Professor, Director of the Center for Innovation Management, Institute of Science Tokyo. He began by introducing the panelists, each of whom then presented case studies and initiatives from their own respective ecosystems.
The first panelist was Mr. Kenichi Katayama, Deputy Mayor of City of Kitakyushu, who presented the G-CITY Strategy and outlined plans for future collaboration with Science Tokyo.
Next, Mr. Kazuhiko Tamai, Director-General of the Coastal International Strategy Headquarters of Kawasaki City, spoke about the current state and challenges of the Ougishima coastal area and shared his expectations for future partnerships with the university.
Following this, Prof. Jun Ohta, Executive Director/Vice President, NARA Institute of SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY (NAIST), introduced NAIST’s innovation ecosystem and discussed the upcoming collaborative efforts with Science Tokuo.
Mr. Akio Isowa, Senior Managing Corporate Executive Officer Group CDIO, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc (SMFG), compared startup investment trends in Japan and the United States, and explored new investment approaches aimed at expanding innovation ecosystems.
Lastly, Mr. Motohiro Suzuki, Senior Executive Officer and Head of Innovation Center General Manager of Advanced Technology Research Laboratories, Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd., spoke about expanding global open innovation networks and shared insights into what is needed to strengthen Japan’s innovation ecosystem.
The session then transitioned into a panel discussion between the moderator and the panelists, during which a range of perspectives were shared regarding innovation ecosystems.
The discussion concluded with a shared recognition that Japan, as a challenge-leading nation, has the opportunity to leverage this position by identifying local issues in each region, applying academic knowledge to develop solutions, and ultimately scaling these innovations globally through international networks. The participants emphasized the importance of creating a uniquely Japanese innovation ecosystem, and expressed hope that this panel would serve as a catalyst for its realization.
[Room B] Science Tokyo Ventures Award Pitch Contest
In parallel with the sessions described above, the university hosted the
“Certified Venture Pitch Contest” featuring startups recognized by Science Tokyo.
This was the first contest held since the university’s consolidation, and a total of nine companies took the stage.
Under the theme “Startups That Will Change the World,” each team delivered presentations focused on addressing social challenges, showcasing their technologies, visions, and future initiatives.
Presenting Companies (in Order of Appearance)
- elleThermo, Ltd.
- Crafton Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
- OptHub Inc.
- AntiCancer Technologies Inc.
- d.weather incorporated
- Vitalizar Inc.
- Tokyo Medical and Dental Laboratory
- iPEACE223 Inc.
- ARCS Inc.
Judging Panel
- Masaharu Tsujimoto, Professor, School of Environment and Society, Director General, Innovation design Platform, Institute of Science Tokyo
- Mr. Takeo Moriai, Project Manager, Innovative Technology Acceleration Group, Advanced R&D and Engineering Company, TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
- Mr. Takayoshi Kawakami CEO, Advanced Technology Acceleration Corporation (ATAC)
- Mr. Hiroyuki Okada, CEO, MIRAISOZO INVESTMENTS Inc.
- Dr. Atsushi Usami, Partner and Board Director, The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd.
[Room A] Session 5: Science Tokyo Venture Awards Ceremony & Closing Remarks
The final session of the day featured the award ceremony for the Certified Venture Pitch Contest hosted by Science Tokyo.
The audience offered warm applause to the winning teams.
Award Results
- ITAP Grand Prize: ARCS Inc.
- Special Jury Prize: Crafton Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
At the conclusion of the symposium, Tetsushi Furukawa, Executive Vice President for Institute Strategy Executive Vice President for Research and Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration, Institute of Science Tokyo, delivered a closing address.
This was followed by the formal closing remarks from Mutsuko Hatano, Executive Vice President for Research and Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration, Institute of Science Tokyo.
Booth Exhibition
The symposium venue featured 26 exhibition booths hosted by companies, municipalities, universities, public institutions, and Certified Ventures of Science Tokyo.
The event provided ample opportunity for interaction between exhibitors and attendees.
Science Tokyo will continue to advance the development of innovation ecosystems through the networks formed at this symposium.
Through IOI&SS 2025, Science Tokyo has taken its first step toward co-creating a future vision for society together with stakeholders from both Japan and abroad.
We look forward to continued developments and invite you to stay tuned for what lies ahead.
Booth Exhibitions by Event Sponsors and Partners
NJI Co., Ltd. /Fujifilm Corporation / FUJIFILM Toyama Chemical Co.,Ltd. / FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation./ Wellspring Japan LCC
Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. / ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation / Broadleaf Co., Ltd. / Kawasaki City / City of Kitakyushu / Kyushu Institute of Technology / Daikin Industries, Ltd. / Chiba University Academic Research & Innovation Management Organization / Science Tokyo Tamachi Campus Redevelopment Project Consortium for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration / Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN / NEC Corporation / Japan Patent Information Organization (JAPIO) / Fujitsu Limited / Mitsui & Co., Ltd. / Muroran Institute of Technology / Oizumi Town （Gunma Prefecture）
Sponsored by:
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION / FRONTEO Inc. / Mitsubishi Estate Company,Limited / Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited / ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation / World Innovation Lab / Advanced Technology Acceleration Corporation (ATAC) /MIRAISOZO INVESTMENTS Inc. / Broadleaf Co.,Ltd / Japan Material Technologies Corporation / SENYO KOGYO CO., LTD. / SEN CORPORATION / FUJIFILM Corporation / NJI co.,Ltd. / Wellspring Japan LCC
Supported by：
Minato City Industrial Promotion Center / TOKYO TECH ALUMINI ASSOCIATION / Science Tokyo Ocyanomizu-kai
Partner Organizations：
Kyusyu Institute of Technology / Muroran Institute of Technology / Kawasaki City / City of Kitakyushu / SME Support, JAPAN / Japan Business Federation (Keidanren)
